Fri 30 September 2011
Wendy Cope - Family Values
A fresh and entertaining poetry reading!

In an ambience akin to a cosy fireside reading Wendy charms and amuses her audience with her wry, ironic poerty.

Radio 4's Poetry Please listeners voted her their number one choice for Poet Laureate. Wendy was also awarded an OBE in the Birthday Honours 2010.

Wendy's new collection will be called Family Values, these new poems will be read alongside a selection of favourites from her previous bestselling collection Two Cures For Love.

There will be a question and answer session to round off the evening, followed by a book signing.

Saturday 1 October 2011
Stacey Kent and her Musicians
7.30pm
Stacey Kent, a best-selling member of the Blue Note roster of recording artists, now boasts six best- selling albums, a string of awards, including the British Jazz Award, The BBC Jazz Award for ‘Best Vocalist’, and Album of the Year, as well as a fan base that enables her to sell out concert halls around the world.

‘She has charm to burn, a smile that could give you hope in February and sings like nobody’s business’ --The Wall Street Journal

Tuesday 4— Saturday 8 October
The Debt Collectors
7.30pm

The new comedy from one of the nation’s favourite playwrights, John Godber, author of international hits Bouncers, Up N Under and Teechers.

The Debt Collectors mixes money and love with the love of money, as two out of work actors fall into the world of debt recovery. It’s a role they despise but a job they were made for, and they are desperate for cash. But all is not what it seems in this hilarious comedy of unpaid bills, offers of sex and boozy bailiffs! Join the Debt Collectors as they dig into a world of cash and collection and what we will do to avoid it! They were once in The Bill, now they’re on your case! Demanding money has never been as funny; they may be in the wrong job, but they are the best in the business.

‘Godber is the unsung hero of British Theatre…’ The Guardian

Sunday 9 October 
13
7.30pm
A new musical about thirteen 13 year olds struggling to find their place in an ever-changing world.
We follow Evan Goldman whose life is turned upside down when his Dad runs off with a stewardess and his Mum cracks up and moves him from his home in New York to a place that is, in his opinion, the back end of nowhere!
This show is one for all the family, packed with fantastic new songs from the award winning Jason Robert Brown in his musical theatre meets jazz meets Jewish-folk style! Not to be missed.Monday 10 October

Monday 10 October
Bury St Edmunds Concert Club
Stephanie Oade (cello) Jennie-Helen Moston (piano)
7.30pm
Stephanie gained a BMus (Hons) degree in 2008 and has given recitals across the country, performing regularly with the BBC Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras. Jennie Helen completed her studies in 2006 with distinction at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.


Tuesday 11 October
A Script in Hand Reading - The Fair Penitent
7.30pm
Betrayal, lust and honour killings feature in this opulent verse tragedy that introduced the world to the seductive Lothario.

In an exciting new development for our Script in Hand readings, we are turning the Theatre Royal into a radio recording studio for a day and giving you the chance to be a live audience for a performance of three of our favourite Restoring the Repertoire™ plays. Sit onstage with the actors and become part of the live recording!

Thursday 13—Friday 14 October
Those Magnificent Men
7.30pm
It’s ‘Chocks Away’ for the hilarious, heart stopping story of Alcock and Brown and the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight.

By any standards, it’s a classic tale of plucky British pioneers – Captain John Alcock, dashing WW1 fighter pilot, and Lieutenant Arthur Whittam Brown, navigational genius with a gammy leg, huddled together against the elements in the tiny cockpit of their converted Vickers Vimy biplane, made almost entirely of wood and canvas – talk about winging it!

Thrill to the sheer adventuring spirit of our unlikely heroes, marvel at their daredevil aerial antics, and wonder at how the whole bally thing is told with just two actors and a crate full of funny props.

‘Wonderfully entertaining – has the making of a West End hit’ The Times ****

Saturday 15 October
The Masters of the House sing The Musicals
7.30pm
Don’t miss this musical feast featuring former stars from Les Miserables, Evita, Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot and other hit West End musicals, performing in concert. The show is constantly being updated with songs carefully selected from over eight decades of popular musical theatre, including favourites such as Broadway Baby (Follies), Climb Ev’ry Mountain (The Sound of Music), Defying Gravity (Wicked), Tell Me It’s Not True (Blood Brothers) and some wonderful show medleys.


Tuesday 18—22 October
Our Country’s Good
7.30pm each day and Sat 22 Oct 2.30pm matinee
Based on real events that occurred in Australia in the 1780’s, Our Country’s Good is set in the first penal colony where the convicts put on a production of the Restoration comedy The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar. An entertaining and thought provoking examination of class, sexuality, Georgian punishment and the civilising influence that theatre had on lives then, as now.


Wednesday 26 October
Theatre Royal Youth Theatre - Grimm Tales
7.30pm
As the sun sets swiftly over the town and the moon casts its magnificent light over its neighbouring wood, wild imaginations come to life as children meet in its shadows to share old tales. Both the Theatre Royal’s 13-15 year old youth theatre groups gather round the glow of the fire with some Grimm tales, including Hansel and Gretel and The Lady and The Lion. The evening is set to lure you on a journey that will bring to life these exciting and enchanting stories.

Thursday 27—Saturday 29 October
The Little Red Hen
Thurs 27 at 6pm, Fri 28—Sat 29 at 11am and 2pm
Half-term treat!

“Who will help me plant these grains of wheat?”
“Not I” said the Pig,
“Not I” said the Rat,
“Not I” said the Cow.
“Fair enough,” said the Little Red Hen, “I’ll do it myself!”

Making bread is hard work, but it would be a lot easier if the lazy farm yard animals got off their reclining sofas and lent a hand! This ingenious adaptation of the nursery school favourite features a host of animal puppets, sing-along songs and madcap comic routines. It’s a real treat for the whole family with no scary bits whatsoever!

‘A truly enchanting hour for the children – and their parents’ The Stage

The show also features simple British Sign Language.

Sunday 30 October
Bury St Edmunds Concert Club
Brodowski String Quartet
4.00pm
First prize winners of the 2008 Royal Overseas League Competition make a welcome return appearance.

15th August 2011 - Colchester Zoo via train & bus - (Bring money for the day)



9th August - Day Trip to Norwich via Train - (Bring money for the day)

16th August - Pleasurewood Hills - (Bring money for the day)



10th August - Swimming & Archery at Bury Leisure Centre - £10

17th August - Gymnastics & Trampolining at Spectrum Gym - £10.

For more information or to register for any of these activities please contact Karl Daniels on 01473 836770 or email tup@optua.org.uk

Optua is a Suffolk based disability charity which runs a range of services for disabled people – go to www.optua.org.uk

Optua is part of the Avenues Trust Group of charitable organisations.

Friday 26 August, 7.30pm Saturday 27 August, 4.00pm
Theatre Royal Summer School company presents The Apothecary
In desperation, Romeo enters the Apothecary to buy a potion that might put an end to his troubles.

Wednesday 31 August, 6.30pm
William Wilkins’ Birthday Bash
A birthday bash for the friends of the Theatre Royal, to celebrate the 233rd birthday of the Theatre’s architect William Wilkins.

Thursday 1 September, 7.30pm
An Evening With Gervase Phinn
Gervase Phinn shares his hilarious and poignant tales of life as a school master in the Yorkshire Dales.

Saturday 3 September, 7.30pm
Arthur Smith Exposed!
Writer, broadcaster and all-round British institution, Arthur Smith brings an evening of laughter and off the wall humour.

Monday 5 September – Saturday 10 September, 7.30pm each day, 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday
Shakespeare’s Globe present As You Like It
A small troupe of travelling players breathes new life into this firm favourite among Shakespeare’s comedies.

Thursday 15 September – Saturday 24 September, 7.30pm each day excl Sun, 2pm on Wednesday and both Saturdays
Theatre Royal company presents Dick Turpin’s Last Ride
A Dynamic new version of the life of Dick Turpin, the most famous highwayman of them all.

Sunday 18 September, 7.30pm
Ed Byrne – Crowd Pleaser
Comedian Ed Byrne is back with his new show, exploring situations he finds frustrating and maddening.

Monday 19 September, 7.30pm
Bury St Edmunds Concert Club – Richard Uttley (piano)
A delightful recital from the first prize winner of the Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition.

Monday 26 September, 1.10pm
Lunchtime Concert – Corrinna Dolso (soprano) and Rebecca Walker (Cello/ Double Bass)
Cellist and Bass player, Rebecca Walker, makes a welcome return to the series, this time with Austrailan-born soprano, Corrina Dolso.

Tuesday 27 September, 7.30pm
Anne Furbank Fashion Show
Anne Furbank presents beautiful, hand-picked fashion from around the world in a show presented to raise funds for the Theatre Royal creative learning programme.

Wednesday 28 September, 7.30pm
Fascinating Aida – The Cheap Flights Tour
Britain’s best comedy trio’s show will include new numbers hot off the press, as well as some old favourites. 

Thursday 29 September, 7.00pm
A Script in Hand reading – The Deserted Daughter
The beautiful Joanna is Mordent’s daughter by a clandestine first marriage – his very guilty secret. Live recording – very limited seating 

Friday 30 September, 7.30pm
Wendy Cope – Family Values
Wendy charms and amuses her audience with her wry and ironic poetry.

Please see below a brief digest of upcoming events during July.

Tuesday 5 July - West Suffolk Young Musician 2011
7.00pm
An opportunity to hear the cream of West Suffolk's young musicians, showcasing their talents and competing for the title of West Suffolk Young Musician 2011. Vocalists, pianists, string, brass and woodwind players will perform a wide variety of music of all styles. A panel of adjudicators will decide the Winner, who will be presented with their prize and trophy on the night. The evening's entertainment will also feature a short performance from Competition's Patron, Dominic Seldis (Principal Double Bass, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra).

Sat 9 Jul - LMA Stage School End of Year Showcase
Junior showcase 3.30pm
Senior Showcase 7.30pm
Local Stage School Lights, Music, Action presents a showcase of Acting, Musical Theatre, Stage Band, Classic Vocals, Contemporary Vocals and Dance. Their music will span many genres from madrigals to Mozart and Sondheim to Schwartz.

Tuesday 12 July - Saturday 16 July – Half Hour Call present Into the Woods
7.30pm each day
Matinee performance Saturday 2.30pm
Following the success of their sell out showcase Don't Stop Me Now, Half Hour Call brings one of Sondheim's most intriguing and imaginative works to the Theatre Royal stage. The Tony Award winning musical, Into the Woods is an enchanting story of wolves, witches, magic beans and giants, who reside in a fairytale land where, for a short while, their wishes come true.

Week 1 - Monday 25 July – 29 July
Week 2 - Monday 8 August – 12 August
Drama Extravaganza - The Guildhall
Starts 10.00am each day
After last year’s resounding success, the Theatre Royal is offering two drama extravaganzas in the summer holidays! 5-12 year olds can come along to one of either two weeks, where they can get stuck into drama and creative activities with theatre professionals. This year, the Theatre will be discovering the enchantment of Rwandan Folk Tales to celebrate Bury St Edmunds’ Rwandan Olympic visit next year.

Tuesday 26 July - Wednesday 27 July – Potted Potter
3.00pm and 7.00pm both days
All seven Harry Potter books in seventy minutes. Watch CBBC's Dan and Jeff take on the ultimate challenge, with the help of endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props, and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic.

Wednesday 15 June: West Suffolk College Showcase
A Few of Our Favourite Things!
The ever popular and energetic performers from E0.45 Productions showcase their best work from the past year.

Friday 17th June 8.00pm: Reginald D. Hunter
A well-known face on primetime television shows such as Live At The Apollo and QI and is a frequent guest on Have I Got News For You.

Tuesday 5th July 7.00pm: West Suffolk Young Musician 2011
An opportunity to hear the cream of West Suffolk’s young musicians, showcasing their talents and competing for the title of West Suffolk Young Musician 2011.

Saturday 9th July 3.30pm: LMA Stage School End Of Year Junior Showcase
Local Stage School Lights, Music, Action presents a showcase of Acting, Musical Theatre, Stage Band, Classic Vocals, Contemporary Vocals and Dance

Saturday 9th July 7.30pm: LMA Stage School End Of Year Senior Showcase
Local Stage School Lights, Music, Action presents a showcase of Acting, Musical Theatre, Stage Band, Classic Vocals, Contemporary Vocals and Dance.

Monday 25th July – Friday 30th July 10.00am: Drama Extravaganza
AND
Monday 8th August – Friday 13th August 10.00am: Drama Extravaganza
Two week-long drama summer schools at the Apex for 5-12 year olds, where they can get stuck in to drama and creative activities with Theatre Royal theatre professionals. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Monday 11th – Saturday 16th July 7.30pm: Into the Woods
An enchanting story of wolves, witches, magic beans and giants, who reside in a fairytale land where wishes come true... for a short while...

Tuesday 26th July – Wednesday 27th July 3.00pm and 7.00pm: Potted Potter
All seven Harry Potter books in seventy minutes.

Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th August 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm: Suffolk Young People’s Theatre presents Cabaret.
Berlin 1931 and the Nazi influence is growing, but life at the Kit Kat Klub attempts to go on as usual.

Dates: Sunday 29 May 2011 2.30pm
Tickets: Exhibition only £5
Venue: Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

For a decade and a half he was the doyen of British motor sport but, even after his reign on the track had come to an end, Sir Stirling Moss OBE has continued to ignite the imagination of the world’s public. Alongside his sell-out show at the Theatre Royal A Life in Motorsport, we will also be hosting The Stirling Moss Exhibition in the Greene King Car Park behind the Theatre Royal.

Stirling Moss himself will be in attendance, chatting with fans and exploring these extraordinary cars. This is a rare public appearance. We are advised that the racing legend will soon return to his private life permanently.

At the exhibition fans will also be able to savour the racing cars on show; a number of which Sir Stirling Moss has driven. These include the Porsche RS61 (seen in public for the first time since it was raced), the C Type Jaguar and Maserati 300S which were driven by Moss in numerous races and the Cooper Monaco owned and raced by him in the 50’s’. These names will get the motoring enthusiasts’ hearts pumping.

This exhibition is a must for all the family, from petrol headed car enthusiasts to anyone who enjoys an interesting afternoon in the sun. They have probably the last opportunity to see all this, and for just £5.

A single tightly focussed exhibition area celebrating one man and his cars making this an ideal intimate event meaning fans won’t have to scrabble through oceans of people across miles of exhibition to see everything on show.

Psychosis can be a lonely experience although 1 in 100 people will suffer from it at some stage in their life. It’s not something people easily talk about, nor is it easy to know what is available or how to help. To improve on this situation the ‘thoughtOUT’ web project was started by psychosis sufferers for psychosis sufferers, with funding from the Suffolk Primary Care Trust and support from Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Based at Workwise in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, over a period of some 18 months, (42 sessions) a team of volunteers have produced a website and an accompanying leaflet which will be launched and distributed from April 2011.

The primary aim of the project has been to connect with people recovering from psychosis, to help them to understand their condition and to give access to resources aiding recovery and day to day living. The ‘thoughtOUT’ team reviewed and collated resources and information available and combined them at one address… http://www.thoughtout.org.uk

One area the team looked at in particular was that of functional and social recovery in psychosis, looking at common experiences and those of the team members themselves. The full result is given on the website together with several in-depth reviews of local services such as Workwise, Healthy Minds, and a local supported housing project in Bury St. Edmunds.

The development stage has now been completed. However, the site will be updated periodically over the next two years.

For further information please contact: Dr Marlies Jansen, 01473 633 710

Wednesday 4th May, 7.30pm – The Johnny Cash Story
Since appearing on BBC television at the age of 14 singing The Tennessee Flat Top Box, Roger Dean has been playing Cash's music most of his life.

Along with his band the 'The Lazy Boys’ he will keep you spellbound with his knowledge of the country music legend. Between singing classic numbers such as Big River, Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line, Sunday Morning Coming Down and Hurt, Dean describes Johnny's rise from poverty stricken beginnings in rural Arkansas to world stardom.

Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th May - The Man With The Flower In His Mouth
Join us before the show for a delicious pre-performance dinner at 6.30pm. Show starts at 8.30pm.

In the intimate setting of the Greene Room Bar, Metta Theatre brings you a playful new adaptation of Pirandello's classic short play. A foray into the darkness (and light) of a man whose salvation can only be found in the power of imagination...

Friday 27th May 7.30pm - Monteverdi's Flying Circus
Inspired by the work of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, and with a new script from Kit Hesketh-Harvey, Armonico Consort present Monteverdi’s three surviving operas; L’Orfeo, Il ritorno d’Ulisse and Poppea in one hugely entertaining evening. The most striking and beautiful music from these great works is performed, brought together by a narrator presenting a synopsis of each tale. Illustrated by elements of puppetry, circus skills and dance and performed in English, this is an evening suitable for the whole family. A semi-staged version will be available for performances in venues without the technical capabilities to put on the fully staged work.


Sunday 29th May 2.30pm - Sir Stirling Moss Obe - His Cars – An Exhibition
An outdoor exhibition of racing cars, a number of which Sir Stirling Moss has driven, including the Porsche RS61 (seen in public for the first time since it was raced), the C Type Jaguar and Maserati 300S which were driven by Moss in numerous races and the Cooper Monaco owned and raced by him in the 50’s’.

Here you will see paintings, sculpture, jewellery, photography, glass, ceramics, textiles and mosaics. Whatever your interest or preference in the creative arts, there are sure to be many things that will delight you.

This is just a taste of what's to come. During the month of June each of the artists open their studios to the public to display their skills, offering demonstrations and an opportunity to see hands on how and where they create their work. Also there’s the chance to purchase something unique.

So visit Blackthorpe Barn, where all artwork is for sale. View the artists’ work, pick up a copy of the free SOS Directory and decide which members you will visit to see how they work and what inspires them.

The SOS Directory will be available in all Libraries and Tourist Information offices throughout Suffolk.

Further details can be found at www.suffolkopenstudios.co.uk